Barkar Nash – Page 995

Anutin hits back at Pheu Thai’s claim

On: May 2, 2023

Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul greets his supporters at Chumchon Mooban Pattana 70 Rai in Bangkok’s Klong Toey district on Feb 13 as he campaigns for candidate Korranit Ngamsukonratana. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul has slammed recent remarks made by Srettha Thavisin, one of the three prime ministerial candidates of the Pheu Thai Party, calling them a smear campaign against the party.

Mr Srettha had earlier said that if Thais vote for Bhumjaithai, then Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will return to power.

“Our party’s legal team is checking if the claim violates election laws,” he said, saying the party has its legal team to pursue all possible procedures.

As Bhumjaithai is the victim in this instance, it can file a lawsuit against anyone who brought up false information with the intent to defame the party while canvassing, he said.

“Don’t go telling anyone that if they choose Bhumjaithai, Gen Prayut [Chan-o-cha] will return to the post of prime minister as it will lead to misunderstandings,” said Mr Anutin.

He insisted that he would assume the role of prime minister if Bhumjaithai wins the election, before adding the party would also prioritise its members for key political positions.

When asked if Bhumjaithai’s candidates would band together and sue Mr Srettha, he said the decision is theirs to make and that he cannot prevent them from doing so.

Asked if Mr Anutin would call Mr Srettha to clear up the matter, he said he won’t, adding Mr Srettha was the one who started the problem.

Mr Anutin also refused to comment when asked about his Facebook post, in which he claimed Mr Srettha had changed after becoming involved in politics.

Meanwhile, Mr Srettha responded on Twitter, saying that he has not changed and is still the same person who will oppose actions that pose a danger to society.

He said cannabis is causing problems in society, as exemplified by the public’s anger over the picture of a 10-year-old smoking pot.

PPRP to upskill cardholders

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 2, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Campaign posters of various political parties are visible along Phahon Yothin Road in Bangkok. (Photo: Pattanapong Hirunard)

Along Bangkok’s Phahon Yothin Road, system advertisements from various political parties can be seen. ( Pattanapong Hirunard in photo )

Possessors of the Palang Pracharath Party’s( PPRP ) welfare cards have been offered assistance by the organization to help them escape the poverty trap.

According to party leader and candidate for prime minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, bread-and-butter issues and the need to boost the economy are given priority, according to Charnkrit Detwithak, a spokeswoman for the group’s election system council.

The economic team at the PPRP has developed strategy guidelines centered on the support provided to low-income earners. He added that in addition to receiving 700 baht per month in happiness, those who have a welfare card will also receive free life insurance for 200, 000 Baht.

Additionally, users will have access to occupational training. They will be qualified for a give of 30,000 baht per person to launch their own company after completing the training.

According to Mr. Charnkrit, users may develop function skills that raise their standard of living and ensure job security. With these, they will be able to increase their income in order to keep up with the rising cost of living and escape the hardship bait.

He claimed that the club had provided opportunities for people with low incomes to purchase the necessary tools and learn how to land a steady job.

He claimed that in order to combat hunger in a long-term way, the party plans to put its money where its mouth is.

Citizens who were confused urged

As the public vote approaches its conclusion, the Pheu Thai Party is adjusting its promotion strategy to engage citizens more.

According to Phuangphet Chunla-iad, director of the group’s political coordination screen for Bangkok, by getting in touch with and instantly communicating strategy letters to undecided voters.

She explained that while waiting for the bright light, drivers will be able to listen to the group’s MP candidates talk at roads.

In the towns of Nong Khaem, Bang Bon, Chom Thong, Don Muang, Phra Khanong, Bank Khola, and Yannawa, the crossing campaign is being used.

The occasion was already stepping up its door-knocking campaign as polls revealed that many voters who lived at home and in condominiums were unsure of who they would vote for on May 14.

She continued by saying that the event will run the campaign more frequently on weekday mornings before people leave for work. This will guarantee that the group’s battle messages reach the voters.

moving south

As the election draws near, the United Thai Nation ( UTN ) Party claims to be paying particular attention to the South because Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is very well-liked there.

The UTN intends to establish a significant public relations campaign and take advantage of it in the month leading up to the election, according to Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, chief strategist for the party’s southern constituencies.

After directing system rallies in those regions, he claimed Gen Prayut enjoys higher approval ratings.

According to Mr. Thanakorn, sometimes candidates who have left the Democrat Party, which has historically dominated the South, claim that the UTN’s popularity it has surpassed prospects.

PPRP to upskill cardholders

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 2, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Democratic party promotion posters can be seen along Phahon Yothin Road in Bangkok. ( Pattanapong Hirunard in photo )

The Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) has made an offer to upskill holders of its welfare cards in order to assist them in escaping the poverty trap.

The economic team at the PPRP has developed promotion guidelines centered on helping low-income workers. In addition to receiving 700 ringgit per month in security benefits, he added that those who have life insurance will also be given free coverage for 200, 000 bht.

Additionally, the customers may have access to training in the workplace. They will be qualified for a grant of 30, 000 ringgit per person to launch their own company after completing the training.

According to Mr. Charnkrit, users may learn employment skills that ensure job stability and raise their standard of living. With these, they can increase their income and escape the hardship pit while keeping up with the rising cost of living.

He claimed that the club had provided opportunities for people with low incomes to purchase the necessary tools and learn how to land a steady job.

He claimed that in order to combat poverty in a long-term way, the occasion intends to put its capital where its mouth is.

Voters who were confused urged

As the public vote approaches its conclusion, the Pheu Thai Party is adjusting its promotion strategy to engage citizens more.

According to Phuangphet Chunla – iad, director of the group’s political coordination screen for Bangkok, the political party is reaching out to undecided voters and sending campaign communications directly to them.

She explained that while waiting for the bright light, drivers will be able to listen to the group’s MP candidates talk at roads.

In the towns of Nong Khaem, Bang Bon, Chom Thong, Don Muang, Phra Khanong, Bank Khola, and Yannawa, the crossing campaign is being used.

As polls revealed that most voters who lived at home and in condominiums were unsure of who they would vote for on May 14, the party was already stepping up its door-knocking campaign.

She continued by saying that the event would run the campaign more frequently on weekday mornings before work. The group’s battle messages will be delivered to the voters as a result.

moving south

As the election draws near, the United Thai Nation ( UTN ) Party claims to be paying particular attention to the South because it is where Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha enjoys a lot of popularity.

The party intends to launch a significant public relations campaign and take advantage of this in the week leading up to the election, according to Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, chief strategist for the UTN’s southern constituencies, who stated on Tuesday & nbsp.

After directing campaign rallies in those regions, he claimed Gen Prayut enjoys higher approval ratings.

According to Mr. Thanakorn, the UTN’s status in the South has surpassed targets, according to applicants who have left the Democrat Party, which has historically dominated the region.

‘Little ghosts’ back to old tricks

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 2, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is one of the main cities where illegal Thai workers, known as ‘phi noi’, or little ghosts, live. (Photo: Anucha Charoenpo)

The Royal Thai Police’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) is stepping up efforts to investigate websites run by companies intent on duping Thais, known as “little ghosts”, into working in South Korea illegally.

“We have been investigating websites run by these companies since South Korea reopened [after Covid-19 eased]. A check has found there are many companies deceiving Thai workers,” said Pol Maj Gen Sarut Kwaengsopha, commander of the ATPD.

“Some workers were sent there only to find they could not work legally. Don’t believe those companies. Looking for work with the Department of Employment is the safest option,” he added.

Pol Maj Gen Sarut said these companies violated the Employment Arrangement and Job-seeker Protection Act by advertising jobs without authorisation, which carries a potential jail term of 3-10 years, as well as deceiving others about jobs overseas, which carries a potential jail term of 3-10 years and/or a fine of between 60,000-200,000 baht.

Problem resurfaces

The problem involving “little ghosts” in South Korea has re-emerged since Thailand and South Korea lifted travel restrictions after Covid-19 eased, prompting many labour exporters to return to sending Thai workers there illegally.

South Korea has been a destination for Thai workers for the past 20 years mainly because daily wages there are five to seven times higher than in Thailand, but workers can work there legally only via the employment permit system (EPS) operated by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea.

The worker system involves govern- ment-to-government arrangements designed to negate the need for excessive brokerage fees of between 150,000 and 200,000 baht charged by unscrupulous companies in both countries.

These hefty fees are one reason Thai workers choose to sneak into South Korea illegally to find work there instead of going through the official channels.

Thailand and South Korea have enjoyed close ties and reached agreements to promote tourism.

Thai travellers do not need a visa to enter South Korea, and South Korean visitors to Thailand are also granted visa-free entry.

Many Thai job-seekers have exploited this to enter South Korea as tourists before drifting away from their group tours to take prearranged jobs in the grey economy.

South Korean immigration authorities are now cracking down on Thais entering the country.

On April 14, a Facebook Page named Big Kren posted a message about a Thai woman who died in South Korea.

The page was looking for the relatives of the woman and gave the telephone number of the Thai embassy in South Korea so they could arrange the collection of her body from a local hospital.

Prior to her death, the woman, identified as Namphet Tathaisong, from Chaiyaphum’s Nong Bua Daeng district, had been detained for illegally working in the country and was awaiting repatriation to Thailand.

Her condition worsened before she was sent to hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Her older brother later posted on Facebook that she had died of lung inflammation.

Her story is another example of the sort of ordeal experienced by many illegal Thai workers in South Korea.

Reena Tadee, a researcher at Mahidol University’s Institute for Population and Social Research, said that illegal Thai workers in South Korea are divided into three groups.

The first pretend to be tourists to gain entry into the country to find work before overstaying their 90-day visa exemption period, while another similar group hop in and out of the country to maintain their legal 90-day status but engage in illegal work during those periods.

The third group are Thai workers who enter having met the requirements of the EPS, but change workplaces without informing authorities, she said.

They change jobs because they claim they did not receive payment as promised under contracts or work without overtime pay, or experience unpleasant working conditions, Ms Reena said.

In some cases, their contracts had expired, but they refused to return to Thailand but kept on working there without permission, she said.

System flawed

Ms Reena said some workers told her that a help centre set up as part of the EPS system did little to help Thai workers when employers cheated on their pay, were slow to pay, or refused to approve their request to change jobs.

“The centre did nothing much. It spoke to the employer over the phone, and that’s it. That’s why workers feel they have no one to turn to for help.

“The only way is to leave their job and find a new one with the help of their acquaintances or the network of Thai workers in South Korea,” Ms Reena said.

Under the EPS system, a work contract lasts three years, and a worker can change jobs three times with the consent of their employer. Without that consent, workers cannot change workplaces, she said.

When workers are unemployed, they have nowhere to sleep because they can no longer stay in accommodation provided by employers, and they have to stay in their friend’s rooms, churches or temples, she said.

“Some have to endure this ordeal for quite a while until they find employers they feel are okay,” she said.

She also explained the job requirements under the EPS. For example, workers must be 18-39 years old and must pass the test of proficiency in the Korean language (TOPIK).

The test often proves too tough for Thai workers, she said, adding those who meet the requirements are then added to the list of permitted overseas job-seekers for two years.

However, this does not guarantee that every worker will get a job because it is up to employers to choose them from the roster, she said.

After two years, if they do not get a job, they will be removed from the list, and if they want to work in the EPS system, they must take the TOPIK again, she added.

Ms Reena said men stand a better chance of getting a job than women, particularly physically demanding jobs at industrial factories. “This is another factor which forces female workers to become illegal workers or ‘little ghosts’, ” she said.

She added some Korean employers choose to employ illegal workers partly because the EPS imposes tough requirements on them.

For example, employers who want to hire foreign workers under the EPS system must have their background checked by authorities, while their workplaces and accommodation for workers must meet specific requirements.

Before they are allowed to hire foreign workers, they must also prove that they already tried and failed to hire Korean nationals for the roles, she said.

There is also a quota on foreign labour imposed on each factory, forcing them to hire illegal workers to supplement their workforce, Ms Reena said.

According to South Korea’s immigration office, there were more than 2.14 million foreign immigrants living there as of Jan 31.

Of them, more than 195,000 were Thais. Some 48,129 were legal migrants, and the rest were illegal migrants.